Sunday, February 15, 2009

Keeping the faith, Little India, Penang

The morning after jubilant Thaipusam took the roads of Penang, it was time for Memo's annual pilgrimage to the temple of Banana Leaf Rice at Sri Ananda Bahwan in Little India.

Nothing much tops the excitement upon having the leaf placed in front of you, a blank canvas of the most organic, aromatic faith.

The best vegetarian meal one could ask for, really.

Fried bitter gourd, a tad too battered for me.

Our misstep of the day. This vegetarian cauliflower dish was rather bland and uninteresting and this humble serving (for 3 pax allegedly) came up to RM10.50.

The original Sri Ananda Bahwan, not at all like the suburban flavours served up at its sister outlet in Tanjung Bungah.

We spied at the corner of nearby King Street a stall serving up some deep fried goodies for the hot, sleepy afternoon ahead.

On the way home, we chanced upon the lovely local sakura tree (botanic nomenclature unidentified), which flowers all but once every 12 months, in full bloom. These sakura trees are rare to come by; we spotted this at Jalan Loh Boon Siew, off Burmah Road (before the turnoff to Chinese Recreation Club).

BSG, same deal for me... always a challenge for me to keep to my vegetarian pledge, with all the fish and chicken in the vicinity! This time it was somehow easier as practically everyone in the restaurant that day were vegetarian post-Thaipusam.

Selba, it IS very yummy!

Duckie, they've hiked up their prices by miles since the early days. Meals here can become quite obscenely priced.

Nic, yes the jar of faith contains many ingredients that need to be refuelled and revisited ;-) Will miss the sight of those sakura bloom when I head back to the city!

Ciki, LOL! If vegetables could speak, I am sure the gourd would have expressed exactly that!